Thanksgiving in West Virginia

This was the first holiday that I spent away from my family. I thought that I was going to be a total mess and way sad but it ended up being fine. It is probably because I love my in-laws and Eric's sister and I are the same age so we get along great. We had lots of fun getting ready for Thanksgiving, going to the mall Black Friday shopping, and going to the movie. 
This year, we spent Thanksgiving with Eric's family and we are going to be having Christmas with my family. We exchanged gifts with Eric's parents, grandpa, and sister while we were there so we didn't have to mail all of their gifts. It was a lot of fun!

On Thanksgiving, I was thinking about everything that I am so thankful for. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for my family, friends, a house to live in, food to eat, and an incredible husband. There is so much more to add to this list but this Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for my Grandpa Savage who taught me the importance of always keeping the commandments, staying close to my family, and most importantly staying strong in the gospel. I was dead asleep and it was 1:20 am on Thursday morning West Virginia time. My phone rang and it was my dad. It totally startled me but I knew exactly what he was going to tell me when I saw he was calling. My Grandpa Savage passed away on Wednesday night at 11:15 Utah time to a loving Heavenly Father. I am so very grateful for the time I was able to spend with him before I came to West Virginia. I know that he was ready to go and am so grateful he is out of pain. I will miss him everyday but know that he is in a better place. The last words he said to me was that he loved me and was proud of me. I know that will bring me so much comfort as I go through this hard time with losing grandpa. How grateful I am that we had such an awesome relationship. I will love you forever and always Grandpa! 

Lately in the Cecil House...

I love that the holidays are right around the corner. Eric and I are leaving tomorrow to go to West Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with his family. This is my first holiday without my family but I think it will be okay. We will be here for Christmas which will be great. I have almost finished all of the Christmas shopping and even came up with something to get all of our friends. 

Lately, I have also been starting to collect Christmas books and movies so we can start our own collection and traditions. It has been fun to go over to my parents house and start to get out all of the Christmas stuff and I thought I better start doing it for myself. When we get back from Thanksgiving we are going to go buy a tree and put out a few decorations for Christmas. Also, I have a serious addiction to these pink sugar cookies. These are such yummy cookies! Fabulous Freddy's car wash sells them in their store. They have them brought up from St. George from Swig. There is a new Swig in Provo too. They are so yummy! 

With Thanksgiving this week, there are so many things that I am so grateful for. Today, I am especially grateful for my Grandpa Savage. He is not doing well and I am super sad to have to deal with such a hard time through the holidays. I don't know how much longer I will have him but consider each moment that I have with him a blessing. I am so grateful he was with me when I graduated seminary, high school, and my CNA program, when I went through the temple for the first time, and that he was able to be in the temple with me when I was sealed. He is such an awesome example of having humility, always helping others, and being strong in the gospel. I love you forever Grandpa Neal! 

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy spending time with your families!! 

Jazz Game and Fall Time Treats

This weekend Eric and I had tons of fun together before the busy week ahead of us both. On Saturday we went to the Zoo with some friends. I hadn't been to the Zoo since my 9th grade Field Trip so it was fun. That night we went to dinner at the Nordstrom Cafe at City Creek and then went to the Utah Jazz game. We had so much fun! We took my parents tickets and took Macie and Savannah with us. They were third row seats and the little girls even got on the jumbo tron. We had a blast. 

Tonight I also made a fun treat. It was super easy and they turned out cute. I just used normal Rice Krispie treats ingredients and then got some cute Fall Harvest pearl sprinkles from Target and put them on top. Easy and Yummy!